Sherlock1969

Do not expect to feel 'restriction' or get to the 'green zone' after one fill. It is not unheard of, but it is not the norm. Until you get to the green zone you have to fake it til you make it...measure, measure, measure. It is not easy, but neither was having surgery. Best wishes!

You didn't jump through all of those hoops and go through surgery to give up now. Minute by minute, hour by hour, be your own best cheerleader; only you can make the changes. Remember how good you feel mentally when you conquer a craving or handle stress by doing something other than eating, by not going to bed with a full tummy and THAT will help you do it again and again. And when the scale starts to follow, well, that makes it even easier to make good choices!

Please, please, please....I know I am close but so want to be THERE! My doc fills very slowly and I am good with that, but so ready to get there and have it last! Fingers crossed!!!

Oscar meyer carving board turkey, tomato slices, lettuce slice, low fat mayo, slice of thin toast...open faced sandwich, cut up in small bites. My current fav. Chili...when I make it I measure one cup portions in freezer bags.

Call your doctor and let him/her know what you are experiencing.

@ Countryheart...hang in there. You had a set back due to the hernia, but that is all it is...a bump in the road. Stay the course, keep getting fills and it WILL happen!!! Good luck and keep us posted.

I have been banded over a year. My doctor is conservative with fills every month. I have had approximately 13 fills. I am just now entering the green zone. It can take time. For some no fills, others one or two and yet some that are totally filled. Also, You probably had some saline put in the band the day of surgery. When your doc/NP put more saline in they draw a bit out first to make sure they hit the port before injecting the predetermined amount they are putting in. I think that is rather standard practice. Hang in there!

I have had approximately 13 fills over the course of 16 months. I 'think' (HOPE!) I am finally in the green zone. (Noticing a real difference in this last fill...hoping it lasts). Anyway, my point is, while it can be frustrating not to get there immediately, I have to say because it took so long, I learned a lot along the way and have not had such a hard time with the rules of eating with the band. I have had over a year to adjust and I think that is a good thing. Since January of this year I was only losing a pound/pound and a half a month, But with this last fill I have dropped 3 lbs in 10 days. Be a patient. I am up to a little over 9 in a 14 cc band. Don't panic, relax and practice the rules of eating...you'll get there. And remember EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!

A good reminder...thanks. Hope you are feeling better and can get a fill soon...

The green zone...I am praying I am in the green zone at last; where smaller amounts of food satisfy you and last 3-4 hours and your appetite is dimmed.

Thank you!!!! One last thing, NEVER compare yourself and your journey to anyone else!! You should only compete with who you were yesterday. LOVE this^^^^ And needed this reminder today.

Perfectly normal...at least for me....it takes time to find consistent restriction...you'll get there.

I do not have an open diary on MFP because I am afraid I wouldn't be as honest if I knew people could look at it....that said I really don't look at anyone else's open diary either. They know what they are eating good or bad; I mean it is RIGHT there for them to see and maybe that will eventually be their wake up call. Maybe not. People berating me wouldn't help me change...it has never been a motivator, at least for me. Then again they DO have an open diary, so maybe they want you to comment? And yep, 2muchfun, sometimes life would be much simpler if we were guys. LOL

Just curious if you can get the recommended amount of protein per day using these meals...?

Congratulations of EVERYTHING!

Beautiful!!!!

As they say..... When a door closes, a window opens. And now we can FIT through that window!

Change is always scary...even if it is change for the good or necessary change. Pre op and post op diets are temporary. You will be changing your lifestyle once you have the band, but will still be able to eat pretty much what you want, just in a different and more thoughtful way. Money was a concern for me as well. I am a stay at home mom (work part time now) of 2 boys. In order to care for our family the way we want we had to make sacrifices along the way...tight budget. But we have managed. I figured if need be I would make payments for the rest of my life, which will now be longer because of the surgery/weight loss. It is all about perspective. There is no monetary value that I could place or that my husband and boys would place on having me here longer. I couldn't do this on my own. I needed help. Take a deep breath. You will do just fine. Best wishes.

When the urge hits to drive through, stop it in it's tracks...usually the euphoria you feel at the accomplishment of self control exceeds the pleasure from the food. And it gets easier every time you do it. I also think of what I can eat for my meal instead of that...a healthier version and start to focus on that....usually a lean cuisine (not the 'healthiest....but much better than fast food and just as quick and enjoyable in my opinion.)

Wow....just wow. How unprofessional. Had my surgery in Baltimore, Md and had a wonderful doctor with wonderful, organized support. Hope things get better!

I have to be extra careful when I get too hungry...then I want to shovel it in and squash that hunger quickly. So I cut my food in VERY small bites. That helps a great deal to keep me on point. I often cut my meat so it is not much bigger than a pea. I still have not hit the green zone....and I am over a year out. (close but not quite there). All this time I just pretend to be in the green. Fake it til you make it. I imagine my stomach being the size of a fist and I look at food and think that should logistically fill me up. Works sometimes better than others. I make myself wait an hour and then start drinking. If still hungry I will eat something else. You'll get there! Exercise....maybe sit in a chair and lift some hand weights until your knees can handle more. Good luck!

Inspirational!!!! You look SO very healthy! Beautiful!

My tidbit of advice....fake it til you make it. The lapband is not a magic bullet. Your band takes time and adjustment and work. You probably will not be in the green zone a month or even 2 months after surgery. So how do you get on track and start losing BEFORE the green zone? How is it different than any other 'diet' you have ever tried? My take? Help is coming! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on that light. It won't always be this hard, because as I said 'help is coming!' Pretend you have restriction. Follow the rules. Eat Protein. Eat less. Drink, drink, drink when you are supposed to/allowed to. Still hungry after you eat? Wait an hour and start drinking. It will get easier....gradually. This was my trick anyway. I am not a perfect, model bandster, but I am experiencing success and I know I will continue to do so...and so will you.

Feel better soon!!!

What 2muchfun said!